Until recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (which is the federal court overseeing California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington) recognized a “provocation” rule. The rule meant that if the cops, through their violation of constitutional rights, cause a violent confrontation, then the cops are responsible for all damages resulting from that confrontation. The rule didn’t exactly allow people to shoot at the police, but it did put the cops on the hook financially for any destruction or medical bills caused by police violating constitutional rights.
